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| Photo by Tim Flach part of the "More than Uman" exhibition |
Bonobos and chimpanzees
are two similar kinds of primates. So similar that at a first glance you would
say it’s only matter of size, being bonobos smaller than chimps. Yet the wide bends
of the Congo River has played a big role in separating the two species. In
fact, none of them swims -at least for such distances – and this has led to a
significant difference in the development of their social organization.
Chimpanzee’s social
system is based on the power of a male over a group whose members are framed by
a well-defined hierarchy and clashes between neighbour communities are normal
in case of border violation.
On the southern side
of the Congo River, bonobos gave birth to a different reality. Here the close
cooperation among females has wiped out what would be the physical advantage of
the males. Male members are actually isolated individuals quite dependent on
the mother, especially regarding their role in the group. But it has to be said
that social status doesn't really matter among bonobos, for whom sex is the key
to solve any form of conflict.
Sex is the way to soften competitiveness and everyone is doing it almost with everyone, without discrimination. When a group of bonobos find a new place to stay, a new happy island full of food in the jungle, general excitement makes that, first of all, collective sexual activities take place. After this every member will devote himself to the nourishment with less vehemence.
In the same region
described on the novel Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, bonobos have
followed an alternative evolution, a parallel reality based on understanding,
mutual aid, and physical contact.
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